Page 72 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
‘It’s stunning!’
‘You really think so?’
‘I do,’ he said, turning back to me. ‘Seriously, Holly. I do. This, and the plans you have for downstairs? If you ever wanted to get out of the finance sector, this is seriously something you should consider.’
‘Oh, I don’t think so. It’s just a hobby. Admittedly, a newly discovered one but a hobby just the same.’
‘Maybe at the moment. But I definitely think the opportunity, and potential, for it to be much more is there.’
Was he right? Was this something I was actually good at? Or was it, like the rest of this summer, just an escape? Temporary?
‘I’m happy with how it’s turned out anyway.’
‘So what’s next? I mean, I know you have the builders due in for downstairs. Anything else?’
‘Well, Gigi had only recently had the bathroom refitted and we sort of planned that together so that doesn’t need touching. I’ll repaint the landing and the stairwell, just to freshen it up. The next big job is going to be tackling Gigi’s bedroom and dressing room.’
‘Is everything still in there?’
I nodded.
‘Are you going to get Carrie to help you?’
‘No,’ I said, my voice soft. ‘I think this is something I need to do by myself.’
Gabe’s fingertips brushed against mine. ‘You don’t have to, you know.’ I looked up, meeting the azure gaze that was serious now as he studied me. ‘And if there’s anything I can do to help. Whatever it is, even just company, say the word. I know it won’t be easy, and I want you to know I’m here – if you need me.’
‘Thank you. That’s very kind of you. But I’ll be OK. I haven’t forgotten our “relationship”—’ I did the bunny ears and everything ‘—isn’t real, so don’t worry about me having expectations of you. I promise I don’t.’ I gave him a smile but he didn’t return it. Just sort of nodded a little stiffly and put his hand out in a gesture for me to precede him out of the room.
For some reason I had the horrible feeling I’d hurt his feelings but I couldn’t work out why. I’d been polite enough about it. The truth was I’d been putting off doing Gigi’s room, procrastinating by doing other things in the house, even to the extent of arranging for the builders to come in, because I was dreading the task of clearing out her room. It wasn’t because she’d passed away in there. In a way, that only sort of made me feel closer to her. It was that, apart from it being a mammoth task, I had the feeling it was going to bring it back – that sense of loss. Make it raw and real all over again.
So, for the moment, I was doing the mature thing of avoiding it. I knew that wasn’t a long-term solution, but it was the one I was sticking with for now.
Returning to the kitchen, we found Bryan splayed out on the deck, lying on a wrap I’d left out there, which had either slid to the ground, or had help in doing so. Either way, it was now serving as a little padded bed for him.
‘What’s he lying on?’ Gabe crouched.
‘One of my wraps.’
‘Oh Christ, sorry. Bryan, you dopey dog, come on, off.’
‘No, really. Don’t disturb him. He looks comfy.’
He shuffled his pet along anyway as Bryan groaned and gave a whine. ‘Don’t give me that. You’ve got several perfectly good beds next door, and you know it.’
I smiled at the interaction between huge bloke and tiny dog and wondered which one was really in charge. ‘Come on. Up you get. You can get comfy again in a minute at home.’
‘You’re leaving?’ I hadn’t expected such disappointment to fill my words – or my heart.
‘Yeah. We’ll leave you in peace to get on.’
‘I really didn’t have anything planned.’ I had a thought. ‘But, of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t. Sorry.’ I made a sort of apologetic gesture with my hands and shoulders. ‘I keep forgetting that not everyone has the summer off like me.’
Gabe gave me a sideways look.
‘What?’
He blew out a sigh. ‘I’m not sure you know what taking time off even means, Holly.’
